Over time, equipment that records electric energy breaks down due to a high load on the power grid, becomes morally obsolete, the prescribed service life is reached, or the need arises to install a more advanced and functional multi-tariff meter. It is not possible to do without a replacement procedure. However, one cannot simply remove old equipment and put in new ones. The order of operations is spelled out in various legislative documents and must comply with certain requirements. They indicate who should change the meter and who bears the costs of the services provided.
What is regulated
Periodic inspection and maintenance activities should be carried out by the UK (management company) and the energy-saving organization. If it is necessary for one reason or another to change the electric meter, the process is carried out in accordance with the procedure established by law, namely:
- Art. 210 and 543 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation;
- LCD RF;
- Federal Law No. 261 and No. 102 of November 23, 2009 and June 26, 2008, respectively;
- State standard of the Russian Federation;
- Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 530 and No. 491 of August 31, 2006 and August 13, 2006, respectively.
These requirements are valid for the current year. If at any stage the regulation is not observed, the owner will be held administratively liable.
Who changes and at whose expense
Replacing electric meters is not an isolated procedure; it is performed quite often. The relevance of the situation and ignorance of the legal framework give rise to controversial situations. However, the legislation clearly spells out who should install electricity meters, change them, and also spend money on this procedure.
The determining indicator is the balance sheet ownership of the entire residential building or part of it: in the ownership of which organization or person it is.
There are several options: the replacement of equipment is paid by the private owner, the Criminal Code, or local authorities. Replace devices with technical malfunctions that have not passed state verification, mechanically damaged, with a broken seal. Not sufficiently accurate - class 2.5 change to more accurate - with class 2.
On the landing and other common areas
In order to unambiguously determine who should pay for the replacement of the electric meter in the stairwell or in other similar rooms, it should be clarified that the electrical equipment located on the area that all residents of the apartment building use is often included in the department of the Criminal Code, which means that the payment is made by the Criminal Code. There are exceptions if the document concluded between the organization and the tenant indicates that the tenant bears the costs of replacing equipment in the common area.
If a meter is taken out to the landing, taking into account the in-house consumption of electric energy, often the replacement of the old device is paid for from the owner, although there are exceptions. But the Criminal Code, even if it incurs the costs of the provided service, in some indirect way will force the homeowner to pay for the procedure, for example, by including expenses in the receipt for payment of utility bills.
In a privatized apartment
The apartment that the tenant privatized or inherited or under the deed of gift is a private property. Therefore, the replacement of the meter will be paid from the pocket of the owner of the apartment.The reasons for the replacement of the device, as well as the initiator of the process are not taken into account. Perhaps this is a broken device or not complying with accepted standards, for example, outdated.
In municipal housing
The Civil Code of the Russian Federation determines that the owners of premises must install and change electricity meters. But if the replacement is made in the housing of the municipal fund, controversial situations may arise. In particular, an employer who has concluded a social contract of employment may be forced to cover expenses, although the law is on his side, because the owner of the housing is the municipality, which means that the subscriber is not the responsible tenant, but the Criminal Code. If the Criminal Code insists on its own, it is recommended to complain about it to the housing inspection.
In the porch
Electricity meters at the entrance are common house property. This provision is enshrined in the relevant resolution. Therefore, the costs relating to their maintenance should be borne by the Criminal Code. However, not everything is clear. The owner of the premises and the Criminal Code can agree among themselves and document this fact that the obligation to pay for the service rests with the owner of the premises. If there is no provision in the executed agreement that has such a meaning, payment is unequivocally charged to the Criminal Code.
In a private house
The replacement of the electric meter in a private house is paid by its owner, since he is the owner. It happens that payment is charged from the municipality, but only if the house is located in the municipal sector.
The law states that the homeowner is required to maintain his property in good condition, and the meter is part of the property. It follows that its replacement in the territory of private ownership is clearly paid by the owner. If the device related to the common property is to be replaced, this obligation is assigned to the Criminal Code.
Who needs a free replacement meter
The law stipulates that the costs are borne by the owner of the premises. The only difficulty is to correctly determine it.
There are times when the replacement procedure is free of charge, regardless of who the owner is. Funds are sought from the state budget. The list of such situations:
- Meters are mounted and connected to the network, which differ from the old meters in terms of characteristics. The implementation of the program may be associated with changes in the requirements for electricity metering.
- At the state level, multi-tariff meters are being introduced.
- Replacement is carried out in the premises, which are municipal property.
Such situations are rare, but they do occur.
Rules and Terms
The owner, who has an apartment in an apartment building or a private house, is obliged to control when the meter expires. Shortly before this date, you should notify the electricity supplier and the management company. They will send to the owner a technician who will perform the necessary operations. By law, this must happen within 10 days from the date of application.
Skipping the date of replacing the meter or using a faulty device is fraught with penalties, as well as recalculation for 3 years of use at the highest tariff. Thus, the owner is forced to comply with the law.
Any signs of malfunction - a burned-out meter, lack of indication, damage, including a broken seal - the owner must immediately report.
The user can receive a notification from the power company. It is sent if it is the initiator of the replacement. Often this happens when the expiration date.As a rule, employees of an organization track when a key date is approaching, since they have all the data.
A failed counter must be replaced. It is forbidden to personally repair it, since this will lead to a violation of seals and the calculation of fines. The procedure is as follows:
- It is necessary to write an application for a specialist’s visit, indicating the installation address and signs of malfunction.
- Clarify the time of arrival of the specialist.
- An employee of the power supply company will check whether the seals and the correct operation of the device are broken. If a breakdown is detected, the meter will be replaced. At the same time, they will draw up an act where the final readings of the device will be reflected.
The owner must purchase a new meter at his own expense.
You can change the device yourself, but the removal of sealing must occur in the presence of a representative of the Criminal Code or with the permission of the Criminal Code. In addition, you must obtain official permission to replace the meter from an energy-saving company.
Procedure
Replacing the meter is as follows:
- An application is submitted to the electricity supplier stating the reasons for the replacement.
- The company will issue an appropriate permit, as well as a certificate that must be presented at the place of purchase of the meter.
- It is also necessary that they give permission to remove the seal in the UK. The action will be performed in the presence of an observer.
- Then they acquire a new meter, but not any, but approved by technical parameters by an energy-saving company (with a mark, class 2) and having a quality certificate. The owner has the right to purchase a meter from the supplier. At the same time, if he does not have all the necessary amount, he can draw up a 5-year installment plan at a percentage by signing a contract. If the housing is municipal, the tenant can purchase a meter at his own expense, but his expenses must be reimbursed.
- An electrician with a third group of electrical safety can be called from an energy-saving organization or found on his own. If the replacement is performed by a third-party organization, it is necessary to conclude an agreement with it, which is then provided to the energy supply company.
Sample Application - Old equipment is not discarded, but left so that the data is verified at the time of dismantling.
- Mount a new device and connect it to the network.
- After installation, it is necessary to verify the correct operation.
- The controller is called to carry out a check and seal. The controller will mark the current readings.
Initial sealing is required, and it is free of charge, although there are times when it is required to pay. This requirement is not valid.
What documents are issued
Documents are issued after the counter is installed and sealed. First of all, we are talking about a special act, which indicates the data of the meter. This document must be referred to the management company in order to recalculate the cost of electricity. A passport is attached to the new meter. This is also an important document. It indicates the date of initial calibration of the device. And in the data sheet indicated the frequency of counter checks.
The approval is confirmed by the acceptance certificate. It is executed in two copies: for the electricity supplier and the owner.
